U.S. patent number 4,577,710 [Application Number 06/560,341] was granted by the patent office on 1986-03-25 for apparatus for promoting good health.
Invention is credited to Edward Ruzumna.
United States Patent |
4,577,710 |
Ruzumna |
March 25, 1986 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Apparatus for promoting good health
Abstract
Apparatus for promoting good health comprising a personal weight
scale provided with an information and message center for
displaying messages to the user relating to weight and maintenance
of a desired weight. The scale may be embodied in a standard
version for providing standard messages based upon departure of
measured weight from desired weight. In another embodiment, the
scale is adapted to provide customized information related to a
particular medical condition of the particular user. The scale
contains an electronic microprocessor for providing messages. The
scale may be adapted to a customized form by associating a
removable electronic medium with the electronic microprocessor so
as to adapt a basic operating program into a custom one for
providing custom messages. The custom messages may relate to the
particular health condition.
Inventors: |
Ruzumna; Edward (West
Bloomfield, MI) |
Family
ID: |
24237392 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/560,341 |
Filed: |
December 12, 1983 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
177/245;
177/25.19; 702/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01G
23/3721 (20130101); G01G 19/44 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01G
19/44 (20060101); G01G 23/37 (20060101); G01G
23/18 (20060101); G01G 19/00 (20060101); G01G
023/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;177/25,245
;364/567 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Miller, Jr.; George H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stephenson & Boller
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for promoting good health and addressing both the
user's weight and a particular medical condition other than
departure of the user's weight from a standardized weight but which
bears a medically recognized correlation with departure of a user's
weight from a standardized weight, comprising a scale having a
weighing platform onto which a user steps, a display for displaying
information to the user standing on the platform and control means
acting upon the measured weight of the user and certain other
inputs, including an electronic medium which is manually
installable on and removable from the apparatus and contains data
relating to the particular medical condition correlated with
departure of measured weight from standardized weight, to provide
messages on the display relating to both departure of the user's
measured weight from a standardized weight and also to the
particular medical condition with respect to which departure of
measured weight from desired weight has a medically recognized
correlation, the particular message presented on the display
relating to the particular medical condition being developed from
departure of the user's measured weight from standardized
weight.
2. Apparatus for promoting good health comprising a scale having a
weighing platform onto which a user steps, a display for displaying
information to the user standing on the platform and control means
acting upon the weight of the user and certain other inputs to
provide messages on the display relating to the measured weight and
deparature of the user's measured weight from a desired weight,
said control means comprising a microprocessor system, said
microprocessor system having a basic operating program for acting
upon the measured weight and said inputs to cause standardized
messages to be displayed on the display and a receptacle accessible
by the user for removably receiving a manually replaceable packaged
electronic medium containing data for action upon by the basic
program so as to convert the massages into customized ones for a
particular individual user, in which said medium contains data
relating to a particular medical condition of interest for a
particular user other than a condition of weight itself, but which
bears a medically recognized correlation with departure of weight
from a standardized weight and in which the association of the
medium with the control converts the basic operating program into
one which causes messages to be displayed to the individual user
standing on the scale which are correlated with the particular
medical condition and based upon departure of the user's measured
weight from the standardized weight.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for promoting good health. More
specifically, the invention is embodied in a new and unique
personal weight scale which provides health promoting messages
based upon the user's weight and certain other input information
which is entered into the scale.
It is recognized that an individual's weight has a major bearing on
health. The predominant concern for most individuals is to guard
against overweight, but underweight conditions can also be of
concern. Personal weight scales provide a ready means for an
individual to monitor one's own weight. Mere monitoring of one's
own weight is however, in many cases, an insufficient motivation to
encourage the individual toward proper weight maintenance.
Electronic types of personal weight scales have been developed and
are on the market. Those on the market which are known to applicant
merely comprise an electronic readout display of the individual's
measured weight. A recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,873 proposes
an electronic weight scale which has the capability for providing
the individual's weight and an audible message based upon the
measured weight and certain inputs.
The present invention is directed to a novel personal weight scale
with the capability for providing visible message displays to the
user based upon the user's measured weight and certain inputs. With
the present invention, it is believed that improved motivation
toward proper weight maintenance for an individual is obtainable,
and this is accomplished in one respect through the nature of the
display messages which are given.
In another respect the invention is adapted to address particular
health problems for which proper weight maintenance is especially
important. These adaptations endow the apparatus of the invention
with a personalized character for a particular individual suffering
from a particular health condition. These adaptations also provide
message displays for the individual which are related to that
individual's particular health problem.
Although one preferred embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed herein, principles of the invention may be incorporated
in different embodiments. The invention possesses new and unique
features which contribute to the health promotive character of the
apparatus embodying the invention.
For example, according to one aspect, the apparatus is provided
with inputs which are set by the individual user based upon certain
personal factors of that individual, for example, body size, sex,
and age. Hence, the apparatus is rendered useful for any
individual.
According to another aspect the apparatus may be customized for a
particular individual or certain particular individuals. An
especially convenient way to adapt the apparatus to a customized
form is by providing the apparatus with the ability to accept
customized data such as from a cassette, cartridge or tape
containing certain customized data. The apparatus acts upon the
customized data for a particular individual so that when that
individual uses the apparatus, it displays certain informational
and motivational messages which are uniquely adapted for that
particular individual.
Importantly, according to this aspect of the invention, the
apparatus may be tailored to address a particular health condition
or health conditions of the individual with the objective that the
displayed information and messages will encourage the individual
into proper habits geared toward correction of the particular
health problem or problems involved.
Still another aspect of the invention involves the manner in which
the apparatus presents information to the user. This will be true
regardless of whether the apparatus is customized for a particular
individual or whether it has general utility for any person. This
method of presentation involves the visual presentation on a
message center of a first message display containing certain data.
Subsequently, this message display is erased and replaced by a
second display containing a message for the individual user. This
latter message is intended to encourage the individual into a
desired regimen by a reinforcement technique. Where the apparatus
has general utility and is not customized for any particular
individual, these messages are standardized messages. The
particular one of the standardized messages which is given depends
upon the departure of the actual measured weight from a
standardized or normal average weight for an individual of the same
body size, sex, and age. These messages may be either laudatory or
critical with the exact nature of the message being dependent upon
the departure of the measured weight from the standardized weight.
In other words, the greater the departure from the standardized
weight, the more critical the message will be. Where the measured
weight is close to the desired weight, the message will be
laudatory.
In a situation where the apparatus is adapted to a particular
health condition for a particular individual, the message given
will contain reference to either the health condition itself and/or
factors related to that health condition. It is possible for a
standard set of messages to be developed for each condition, or
alternatively it is possible to have a particular set of messages
prepared for a particular individual on a totally unique basis.
These messages could be prepared by an attending physician who has
intimate knowledge of the individual's particular condition and
personality so as to achieve what would be considered to be the
best type of motivational procedure for the individual. Because of
the availability of readily programmable electronic devices it is
possible for the physician to prescribe particular messages which
can be readily incorporated into an appropriate medium such as a
tape, cassette, cartridge, or similar device which may be removably
plugged into the apparatus. It is however, also possible for a
prescribing physician to prescribe a completely unique scale for a
particular individual which would be constructed with only messages
for that particular individual and for no other individual.
The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises an electronic
system, including a microprocessor and a visual readout display,
which can be used to advantage to implement the invention. The
microprocessor is provided with an operating program and is
responsive to certain inputs and to the individual's measured
weight. The microprocessor and associated electronic circuitry may
comprise storage media containing pre-stored information including
such items as weight charts, messages, and other pieces of
information. The apparatus has a calculational capability within
its operating program to provide calculations based upon the
measured weight of the user and weight charts. It may act upon
differences between measured weight and the weight charts to
provide both a display of the computed difference and messages
which are related to the difference. The weight chart and message
are also correlated with certain input parameters relating to the
individual. These parameters may be introduced by the user, or by
other media.
Where the invention is adapted to address particular health
problems, a variety of different health problems can be addressed
through the use of removable electronic cartridges each of which is
unique to a particular type of medical condition. Each cartridge
comprises an electronic device such as a PROM (programmable read
only memory) which is acted upon by the basic operating program of
the microprocessor system. The data contained in the PROM relates
to a particular medical condition and the resultant action of the
apparatus when a particular type of PROM is associated with the
apparatus is to adapt it for use by the individual with the
condition which is the subject of the cartridge. Hence, in this
embodiment, the basic scale apparatus remains the same and is
converted to address a particular health condition by simply
inserting the appropriate cartridge for the particular
condition.
It is even possible for the cartridges to be tailored to particular
individuals by the fabrication of custom electronic cartridges.
Hence, the invention may be offered not only as a commercial
product it is also well suited for prescriptive use by a physician
treating a particular individual for a particular medical
condition. The potential benefits for promoting health in
individuals are significantly enhanced with the present
invention.
The foregoing features, advantages and benefits of the invention,
along with additional ones, will be seen in the ensuing description
and claims which should be considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment
of the invention according to the best mode contemplated at the
present time in carrying out the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a presently preferred embodiment of
apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a view of one portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1
illustrating one operating condition.
FIG. 4 is a view of one portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1
illustrating an operating condition subsequent to that of FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the apparatus of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an electronic block diagram illustrating the electronics
of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which executes a program according to
the flow diagram of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of
apparatus 10 according to the present invention.
Apparatus 10 comprises a base 12 adapted to be placed on a floor,
or other supporting surface, and a weighing platform 14 onto which
the user steps when the apparatus is put to use. At the rear of
base 10 beyond platform 14 is an information and message center
16.
A series of three switches 18, 20 and 22 are mounted on base 12
between weighing platform 14 and information and message center 16.
A magnifying lens 24 is disposed over information and message
center 16 so as to provide a magnification of the display on center
16 to a user standing upon platform 14.
Details of the internal mechanism for converting the user's weight
on platform 14 onto an electrical signal representative of his or
her weight are conventional and therefore any suitable construction
may be used.
Switches 18, 20 and 22 are intended for use by an individual to set
certain conditions. Switch 18 is designated by the letters C-M-F
which are abbreviations for "Child", "Male", and "Female"
respectively. Switch 20 is identified by the letters S-M-L, and
these denote abbreviations for "Small", "Medium", and "Large".
Switch 22 is identified by the abbreviation SPEC. meaning
"Special".
The purpose of switch 22 is to convert the apparatus into one which
will adapt it to a customized mode of operation for a particular
individual. Exactly how this is accomplished will be explained
later on in the description. For now, the operation of the
apparatus will be explained for a standardized operation for any
particular individual user who will use switches 18 and 20.
Apparatus 10 is provided with a weight responsive switch 23 which
is activated above a predetermined threshold, say 25 lbs for
example, and this switch turns on the power for the apparatus.
Power may be obtained from a self-contained supply such as a
replaceable battery. Alternately, it would be possible to have the
apparatus constructed to use standard AC power by a plug and cord
extending from base 12 to be plugged into a wall outlet receptacle.
In any event, the activation of threshold switch 23 initiates the
operation of the apparatus and it causes the following message to
be displayed on center 16: "Please program". This instruction is
contained on the uppermost line of the display and immediately
below the instruction, the following question is posed. "C, M, or
F?" This question asks whether the user is a child, an adult male,
or an adult female. The answer is given by the user stepping on
switch 18. Exactly how the correct information is entered into the
electronics is not important. One way which is deemed suitable is
to have the display automatically sequence the possible answers
once the user steps on switch 18. The three possible answers will
cycle at given intervals, for example every two seconds. When the
correct answer for the user is presented on the display, the user
releases switch 18 and that causes the answer to be stored within
the apparatus. The selected answer will continue to be
displayed.
A subsequent line of the display then poses the further question:
"S, M, or L?" This question asks whether the user is of small,
medium or large build. Once again the answer may be provided in the
same manner as was the case for the first question. The display
will sequentially show the possible answers, S, M, and L at
intervals such as at two second intervals and when the correct
answer is displayed, the user releases switch 20 and the apparatus
locks the answer. The selected answer will continue to be displayed
on the message center. Once this second question has been answered,
the apparatus proceeds to operate in the following manner. The
operation is described with reference to FIG. 5 which illustrates
the operating program which is executed by the electronics
contained within the apparatus.
When the program first began to operate the control first
determines whether switch 22 has been actuated. If that switch has
not been actuated, the two questions described above are posed. The
block 102 corresponds to the posing of the question regarding
child, adult male, adult female. The block 104 corresponds to the
posing the question regarding small, medium, large.
Associated with each question is a memory store within the
electronics. Each memory store is identified by a corresponding
reference numeral 106, 108 respectively. In other words, the store
106 stores the answer for the child, adult male, adult female
question, and the store 108 the answer to the small, medium, large
question.
At the time that the answers are obtained, the user's actual weight
is measured electronically as indicated at 110 and this actual
weight measurement is stored in an associated memory store 112. The
information contained in the memory stores 106, 108, 112 is used in
further operations of the apparatus.
The apparatus further includes certain pre-programmed information
which is stored in matrix form. There are three such matrices
illustrated, and these are identified by the reference numerals
114, 116 and 118 respectively.
Matrix 114 is designated an Ideal Weight Matrix and it contains a
table of ideal weight related both to age and sex and body build.
The information in stores 106, 108 is used to select one particular
ideal weight from matrix 114.
In other words, the matrix would contain a series of rows which are
a function of body build (i.e., small, medium, large) and it would
contain a series of columns which are a function of the other
parameter (i.e., child, adult male, adult female). Thus, for each
combination, there is a corresponding ideal weight.
The matrix 116 is designated as a Clothing Size Matrix. It contains
clothing size information which is a function of three parameters,
namely the information contained in stores 106, 108 and 112. The
values of these three parameters are used to select a corresponding
clothing size from matrix 116.
The third matrix 118 is designated as a Standard Message Matrix.
This matrix is used to provide a standard message based upon the
departure of the measured weight from the ideal weight for the
particular person.
It will be observed that all three matrices 114, 116, 118 are
associated with the switch 22 such that the matrices are enabled if
the switch is not activated after the user steps on the platform.
Accordingly, these matrices are enabled when the apparatus is
operated in the user programmed mode through the use of switches 18
and 20.
After the actual weight measurement has been obtained, a
calculation is performed taking the difference between the actual
measured weight and the selected ideal weight from matrix 114. This
calculation of weight difference is identified by the reference
numeral 120. A memory store 122 is associated with the calculation
so that the departure of the measured weight from the ideal weight
is stored in that memory store. It will be observed that the weight
difference is also provided to the standard message matrix 118 to
correlate a particular message with the calculated departure of the
measured weight from the ideal weight.
After the calculation of step 120 has been performed and the weight
departure stored in memory store 122, information is displayed on
information and message center 16. This takes the form of a first
display such as that shown in FIG. 3. The information display
comprises the current weight, the computed overweight and the
computed clothing size. This information is presented for a
predetermined time interval. After the elapse of that time interval
the message is erased and replaced by a reinforcement message
developed from the standard message matrix 118. As can be
appreciated, this reinforcement message comprises the particular
stored message in the matrix correlated with the departure of the
individual's measured weight from the idealized weight. The
particular nature of the stored messages is such that the messages
are either laudatory or insulting depending upon the departure of
measured weight from the idealized weight. For example, laudatory
messages would be given for close compliance of measured weight
with standardized weight. Insulting messages will be given for
departures from the standard weight with the degree of insult
increasing as the measured weight increases from the standardized
weight.
FIG. 5 also illustrates the customized mode of operation. The
apparatus includes a receptacle 80, (see FIG. 2), or other
accommodation, for removably accepting a medium 82 such as an
electronic memory circuit, tape or other medium. That medium has
been programmed with certain information unique to a particular
individual or class of individuals. For example, this may be used
to address the medical conditions of patients in the manner
described above. Thus, when such a medium is associated with the
apparatus, the user steps on the scale and instead of operating
either switch 18 or 20 now operates switch 22. The operation of
switch 22 does not enable the matrices 114, 116, 118. Rather it
causes information on the medium to be loaded into a Special
Message Matrix 130. It also loads an idealized weight store 132
with the ideal weight for the particular individual involved, the
idealized weight also being on the medium. Once these have been
loaded, the weight measurement is taken and stored in store 112.
Next the departure of the actual measured weight from the idealized
weight for the particular individual is calculated. This in turn
results in the first message display being presented. This message
display presents the actual weight and the departure of the weight
from the idealized value for the particular individual. The
clothing size is not presented but it would be possible to endow
the apparatus with this sort of capability by providing a special
clothing size matrix which would be geared to the particular
individual involved but based upon his measured weight. After this
first information is displayed for a given period, it is erased and
replaced by the second display. This second display presents a
particular message from the Special Message Matrix which is
correlated with the departure of the measured weight from the
idealized weight for the particular individual. Importantly, the
content of this message relates to the health condition for the
particular individual. The message may be made increasingly severe
as the departure of weight from the idealized weight increases.
FIG. 6 illustrates in block diagram form the arrangement of the
electronic system 43 which is employed in apparatus 10. This
electronic system is constructed from conventional electronic
devices and is powered from a battery or other suitable electric
supply, as mentioned above. These include a microprocessor 42, one
or more ROM's 44 (read only memory), and one or more RAM's 46
(random access memory).
The inputs to the system comprise the switch inputs, the media
input, and the measured weight of the user. Each of these inputs is
processed through a suitable buffer and store, designated generally
by the numeral 48, so as to be available in a suitable form for use
by microprocessor 42. The microprocessor is also coupled via a
buffer and store 50 with message center 16. The ROM's and RAM's
44,46 are operatively associated with the microprocessor.
The various arrows shown between the blocks of the block diagram of
FIG. 4 constitute data busses. Conventional control connections
(not shown) are also associated with the specific circuit
components for controlling the operating sequence.
The ROM's 44 may contain a basic operating program which is acted
upon by microprocessor 42 using the input information supplied via
the inputs. The RAM's 46 may be used for storage during the
operation of the program by the microprocessor. Output data which
has been developed through execution of the program is supplied to
buffer and store 50 for display on message center 16.
For some individuals, the mere departure of mesured weight from the
ideal which would be indicated on a weight chart may be
insufficient motivation for proper weight control. Therefore, the
second visible display message giving either an insulting or a
laudatory remark is subsequently presented.
The message relating to clothing size can also be used for
motivation. For a man this message could be given in terms of suit
size and for a lady in terms of dress size. An example of such a
message might be "Your suit size is 42 but would be 38 if you were
at the correct weight".
The basic messages themselves are programmed in the ROM's with the
numerical information being supplied by the calculations.
The objective of the apparatus of the invention is to encourage the
individual to discipline himself or herself toward attainment
and/or maintenance of a healthy weight. The apparatus itself is not
a guarantee of weight control but rather is intended to give
improved motivation for encouragement of the individual toward the
desired weight objective.
The embodiment of the invention which has been described with
reference to the drawing figures may be considered for a general
weight control program and without regard to any specific medical
condition upon which an individual's weight has a bearing.
The invention also provides the capability for relating the
apparatus to particular medical conditions by virtue of the
customizing capability also described with reference to the drawing
figures. The invention gives messages about the effect of
overweight on any given health condition of interest with each
particular message being a function of the overweight of the user
and his or her particular condition.
It would be possible to program the electronics shown in FIG. 6 for
yielding messages relating to a particular medical condition. While
this would necessitate a unique scale for each type of medical
condition, such might be deemed a desirable treatment procedure for
weight control.
However, rather than having a unique scale for each medical
condition, the invention alternately provides for the embodiment of
the apparatus in a basic configuration with which cartridges
relating to individual specific conditions are selectively
associated. Referring to FIG. 6 one will observe that a further
circuit component may be associated with the electronics. This
circuit component is illustrated as a PROM (programmable read only
memory).
The PROM is contained within a cartridge which removably mounts on
the base of the apparatus 10. An example of how the cartridge may
mount is illustrated in FIG. 2. The cartridge contains a connector
from the PROM which connects to a mating connector within
receptacle 80 in base 12 into which the cartridge is removably
inserted. The PROM contains data which adapts the basic program
into a specific one related to a particular medical condition in
the manner described above. While a single PROM has been
illustrated, it will be appreciated that multiple PROMs or other
equivalent devices could be used.
An example of the application of the invention with respect to a
particular medical condition might comprise a PROM which adapts the
basic program of the scale for the user having a cardiac condition.
In addition to, or in replacement of, one or more of the other
messages given (for example, the insulting or laudatory message 70,
or the clothing size message 72), the PROM adapted for a cardiac
condition may comprise a message relating to the cardiac condition.
For instance, one message might be: "Do you realize that pounds
overweight adds percent extra load on your heart?" The message
relating to the cardiac condition may also be so related that a
sterner message is given as the amount of overweight increases.
The apparatus of the invention may therefore serve as a standard
scale for use by all individuals, and in special situations, it may
be adapted to the treatment needs of individuals with certain
medical conditions. As such it is an apparatus for promoting good
health through a recognition of an individual's weight in relation
to standardized weight charts, and it provides means for
psychologically reinforcing the weight information in relation to
standardized weight charts by means of reinforcement messages. It
is also possible with the invention for unique message cartridges
(custom cartridges) to be developed for use by specific
individuals, tailored to those specific individual's particular
needs. For example, this could be done under the supervision of
attending medical personnel so that particular messages for a
particular patient would be presented to the patient when using the
apparatus of the invention during the course of a treatment or
recovery procedure.
The apparatus of the invention is also adapted for use in
monitoring health conditions which are not necessarily abnormal.
For example, it may be used very effectively in a weight
maintenance program related to a term of pregnancy. Massages may be
given related to departure of measured weight from a normal
progression of weight over the term. For undesired departures, the
messages may be related tO either or both the effect on the mother
and the effect on the fetus.
Referring to FIG. 5, one example of use of the invention could
comprise a series of media 82 each programmed for use during a
particular part of the term, for instance one medium for each
month. Each medium of the series would contain a desired normal
weight for the corresponding month, and it would contain data for
causing certain messages to be given based upon departure of
measured weight from the desired normal weight for that month. The
messages could themselves be unique for each month.
New media could be used during the post-natal period to promote
return toward the normal non-pregnant weight. Pregnancy being a
temporary condition, it can be appreciated that conditions which
the invention addresses need not be of a permanent character.
This description of the application of the invention for a term of
pregnancy is representative.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed,
it will be appreciated that principles of the invention are
applicable to other embodiments.
* * * * *